She knew that soon there would be wilder tales still when it was announced that she was bidding farewell to the great working world, and would live on in retirement.

She had made up her mind quite how the announcement should read, and, once it was given out, nothing would induce her to change her mind.

Her life was now the life of the Seigneur.
A struggle in her heart went on, but she fought it down.

The lure of a great temptation from that far-off outside world was before her, but she had resolved her heart against it.

In his rough but tender way her father now understood, and that was a comfort to her.